Sesquiterpenoid constituents of the liverwort Marsupella aquatica

Nine new amorphane sesquiterpenoids, (+)-7β-hydroxyamorpha-4,11-diene, (−)-9α-hydroxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene, (−)-3α-hydroxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene, (−)-3α-acetoxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene, (−)-amorpha-4,7(11)-dien-3-one, (+)-2,8-epoxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene, (+)-5,9-epoxyamorpha-3,7(11)-diene, (−)-2α-hydroxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene and (−)-2β-acetoxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene, were isolated from the essential oil of the liverwort Marsupella aquatica, collected near Gaschurn/Montafon, Austria. The isolated compounds and their chemical transformations were investigated using enantioselective GC and extensive spectroscopic studies (HRMS, ¹H, ¹³C and 2D NMR). The absolute configuration of most of the isolated compounds were established by conversions to known compounds. In addition, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR data of (−)-myltayl-4-ene are reported for the first time.     

Two new diterpenoids from Isodon serra

From the aerial part of Isodon serra,two new ent-6,7-seco-kaurane-type diterpenoids,15α,20β-dihydroxy-6β-methoxy-6,7- seco-6,20-epoxy-1,7-olide-ent-kaur-16-ene (1) and 6α,15α-dilaydroxy-20-aldehyde-6,7-seco-6,11α-epoxy-1,7-olide-ent-kaur-16- ene (2) were isolated.Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means.     

Crabbogenin, 1β-hydroxycrabbogenin,strictagenin and pompeygenin,four new steroidal sapogenins from cordyline stricta leaves

From the leaves of Cordyline stricia Endl. four new steroidal sapogenins crabbogenin {5α-spirost-25(27)-en-3α-ol}, 1β-hydroxycrabbogenin, strictagenin {(20S, 22S, 25S)-5α-furostan-22, 25-epoxy-1β, 3α, 26-triol} and pompeygenin {(25S)-5α-spirostane-1β, 3α-25-triol} have been isolated and their structures determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Phenolic glucosides and chromane analogs from the insect fungus Conoideocrella krungchingensis BCC53666

Six new compounds, named conoideoglucosides A − C and conoideochromanes A − C, together with eight known compounds, including eutypinic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid, (−)-luteoskyrin, (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin, chrysophanol, islandicin, catenarin, and (22E)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol were isolated from the insect fungus Conoideocrella krungchingensis BCC53666. (−)-Luteoskyrin exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial activity such as antimalarial (IC₅₀ 0.51 μg/mL), antitubercular (MIC 6.25 μg/mL), antibacterial (both Gram positive; MIC 0.39–1.56 μg/mL and Gram negative; MIC 3.13–12.50 μg/mL), and antifungal (against various plant pathogens; MIC 3.13–50.00 μg/mL) activities, while (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin and catenarin showed weaker antibacterial activity. Moreover, eutypinic acid, (−)-luteoskyrin, (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin, and catenarin showed cytotoxicity against NCI-H187 cells with IC₅₀ in a range of 0.16–17.99 μg/mL, while eutypinic acid and catenarin had no cytotoxicity against non-cancerous (Vero) cells at maximum tested concentration (50 μg/mL). The complete NMR spectral data and biological activity of the known (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin was also reported for the first time.     

Synthesis of optically active seven-membered 1,5-anhydrocarbasugars and 1,4,5-tribenzoyloxy-2-ethoxy cycloheptanes via [5+2] cycloaddition

[5+2] Cycloaddition followed by asymmetric dihydroxylation procedure have been utilized to prepare novel cyclitols. Accordingly, rac-2α-hydroxy-6α-ethoxy-1,5-anhydro cyclohept-3-ene, 10 derived from [5+2] cycloaddition of 3-oxidopyrylium ylide and vinyl ether has been recognized as a seven-membered carbasugar equivalent and elaborated to 1,4,5-tribenzoyloxy-2-ethoxy cycloheptanes through a flexible, regio- and stereoselective strategy involving Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation conditions to resolve the compounds obtained. The structures and relative configurations of newly synthesized (+)-2α-acetoxy-6α-ethoxy-3β,4β-dihydroxy-1,5-anhydro cycloheptane ((+)-12)); (−)-1β,4β,5β-tribenzoyloxy-6α-ethoxy cycloheptane ((−)-17) and (+)-1α,4α,5α-tribenzoyloxy-6β-ethoxy cycloheptane ((+)-17) are unambiguously established by single crystal X-ray analysis and duly supported by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy data.     

Isocalamenenes from the Liverwort Bazzania tridens

Four new sesquiterpenoids, 1,4-trans-6-hydroxyisocalamenene; 1,4-trans-6-methoxyisocalamenene; (+)-aristol-9-en- 12β-ol, and eudesm-4(15)-en-6β-acetoxy-7β-ol, were isolated from Bazzania tridens, a liverwort species. Their structures were identified by means of spectroscopic methods. The two isocalamenenes are derived from a methyl rearrangement of the calamenene skeleton.     

Trypanocidal labdane diterpenoids from the seeds of Aframomum aulacocarpos (Zingiberaceae)

Two novel labdane type diterpenoids, 8β(17)-epoxy-14,15,16-trihydroxylabd-12(E)-ene (aulacocarpin C) and 15,16-epoxy-14ξ,16ξ-dimethoxylabda-8(17),12-(E)-diene (aulacocarpin D) together with the known aulacocarpin A and B; 14,15-epoxy-8(17),12(E)-labdadien-16-al, coronarin E, and 15,16-epoxy-12β-hydroxy-labda-8(17)-13(16),14-triene were isolated from the seeds of Aframomum aulacocarpos. To the best of our knowledge, the last compound was isolated from a natural source for the first time. Acid hydrolysis of aulacocarpin D led to another new labdane type diterpenoid, 15,16-epoxy-12β-methoxylabda-8(17)-13(16),14-triene. The structures of all compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. These new compounds exhibit moderate trypanocidal activity.     

Transformation of sclareol under ritter reaction conditions

Sclareol under the mild conditions of Ritter reaction is converted into N,N′-[(8R,13)-labdan-14(15)-ene-8,13-diyl]diacetamides stereoisomeric at the C¹³ atom possessing the unrearranged skeleton of the initial diol. One of the minor reaction products is the N-[(8α,13)-epoxylabdan-14-yl]acetamide whose formation requires the intermediate cyclization of the sclareol. Under more severe conditions and at the reversed order of the reagents addition the prevailing components of the reaction mixture are cyclized and rearranged N-[(8α,14)-epoxy-16(13→14)-abeo-labdan-13-yl]acetamides stereoisomeric at the C¹³ atom, and minor compounds, (8α,13)-epoxy-16(13→14)-abeo-labdan-12(13)-ene and (8α,14)-epoxy-16(13→4)-abeo-labdan-12(13)-ene.     

Oxetane from A-nor-steroides: 2-alpha, 5-oxido-A-nor-5-alpha-cholestane, 2-beta, 5-oxido-A-nor-5-beta-cholestane and 2-alpha-ethyl-2-beta,2'-oxido-A-nor-5-alpha-cholestane

Treatment of 2β-tosyloxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane-5-ol ( 2 ) with t-butoxide in t-butanol gave 2α, 5-epoxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane ( 3 ) in quantitative yield. When A-nor-5β-cholestane-2α, 5-diol ( 4 ) was treated with tosyl chloride in pyridine 2β-chloro-A-nor-5β-cholestane-5-ol ( 7 ) and 2α-tosyloxy-A-nor-5β-cholestane-5-ol ( 8 ) were obtained. Whereas the chloride 7 was resistant to t-butoxide the tosylate 8 was transformed into an 1 : 1 mixture of 2α, 5-epoxy-5β-cholestane ( 10 ) and 2ξ-t-butoxy-A-nor-5β-cholestane-5-ol ( 11 ). In 2α-tosyloxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane-5-ol ( 12 ) substitution occurred as the only reaction. Both oxetanes 3 and 10 isomerize after heating above 50° and in polar or protic solvents to form A-nor-Δ³⁽⁵⁾-cholestene-2α-ol ( 6 ) and -2β-ol ( 14 ) respectively. Also, 2, 5-diols are encountered. 2α-Ethyl-2β, 2′-epoxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane ( 23 ) was synthesized starting from A-nor-5α-cholestane-2-one ( 17 ). The intermediates were the ester 16 , the diol 18 , the hydroxy-tosylate 19 and the chlorhydrin 20 . The spirocyclic oxetane 23 was reduced by LiAlH₄ in dioxane (not in ether). By chromatography on silica gel 23 was isomerized to the homoallylic alcohol 21 and transformed into 2-methylene-A-nor-5α-cholestane ( 24 ) by fragmentation. The IR. and NMR. spectra of the new oxetanes were compared with those of a series of known oxetanes.     

Two new diarylheptanoids isolated from the roots of Juglans mandshurica

Two new diarylheptanoids, ( ? )-threo-3′,4″-epoxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-(3-methoxyphenyl)heptan-2,3-diol (1) and (1α,3β,5α,6α)-1,5-epoxy-3,6-dihydroxy-1,7-bis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-heptane (2), along with one known diarylheptanoid, rhoiptelol B (3), were isolated from the roots of Juglans mandshurica. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were identified based on HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR including ¹H–¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic methods.     

Antibacterial sphingolipid and steroids from the black coral Antipathes dichotoma

From the black coral Antipathies dichotoma, a sphingolipid (2S*,3S*,4E,8E)-2N-[tetradecanoyl]-4(E),8(E)-icosadiene-1,3-diol (1) and a steroid (22E)-methylcholesta-5,22-diene-1α,3β,7α-triol (2) were isolated. Other known compounds, 3β,7α-dihydroxy-cholest-5-ene (3), (22E,24S),5α,8α-epidioxy-24-methylcholesta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (4) and (22E,24S),5α,8α-epidioxy-24-methylcholesta-6,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol (5). The structures were established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature. The antibacterial activity of five compounds was evaluated.     

Enzymatic resolution of (±)-conduritol-B,a key intermediate for the synthesis of glycosidase inhibitors

Lipases from porcine pancreas, Candida cylindracea and Mucor miehei (adsorbed on support, Lipozyme^® IM) catalysed in t-butylmethylether the alcoholysis of rac-conduritol-B peracetate, (±)-1, by n-butanol to give enantiopure (2S,3S)-diacetoxy-(1R,4R)-dihydroxycyclohex-5-ene, (−)-3, and (1S,2R,3R,4S)-tetraacetoxy-cyclohex-5-ene, (+)-1. The enantioforms (+)- and (−)-conduritol-B, obtained after chemical hydrolysis of (−)-3 and (+)-1, respectively, may be employed to prepare both the enantiomers of conduritol-B epoxide and cyclophellitol, powerful inhibitors of glycosidases.     

Cytotoxic Terpenes from the Stems of <i>Dipterocarpus obtusifolius</i> Collected in Cambodia

From the stems of Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, five new triterpenes, 3-oxo-20-hydroxy-30α-methyl,17(29)α-epoxy-28-norlupane (1), 3-oxo-20-hydroxy-30β-methyl-17(29)α-epoxy-28-norlupane (2), 3,20-dioxo-28,29-norlupan-17α-ol (3), 27-demethyl-20(S)-dammar-23-ene-20-ol-3,25-dione (4), and 3-epi-cecropic acid (5) together with 13 known compounds including diterpene, sesquiterpenes and triterpenes were isolated and characterized. All isolates were tested for their cytotoxicities against a small panel of human cancer cell lines. Of the tested compounds, compounds 4-11 were found to be cytotoxic against one or more human cancer cell lines.     

Sesquiterpenes from the Roots of Ligularia duciformis

Two new sesquiterpenes named liguducin-A ( 1 ) and -B ( 4 ) were isolated from a Chinese medicinal plant, the dried roots of Ligularia duciformis, together with four known sesquiterpenes, 4α, 10β-dihydroxy-1β,5α-H-guai-6-ene ( 2 ), 4α-hydroxy-1β,5α,11α-H-guai-9-en-12,8α-olide ( 3 ), 1β-hydroxyeudesm-4,11-dien-3-one ( 5 ) and 1β,6α-dihydroxyeudesm-4(15)-ene ( 6 ). On the basis of the spectral evidence, their structures were determined.     

Synthetic transformations of isoquinoline alkaloids. Synthesis of 1-halo derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis>-ethenotetrahydrothebaine and their behavior in the heck reaction

Bromination of endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaine derivatives having a pyrrolidine ring fused at the C⁷-C⁸ bond, namely 1′-substituted 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morphinan-2′,5′-diones, 1′-aryl-4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morphinans, and 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-2′α-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morpphinan-5′-one, with molecular bromine in formic acid smoothly afforded the corresponding 1-bromo derivatives. Iodination of 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]-4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]-morphinan-2′,5′-dione with iodine(I) chloride gave 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-1-iodo-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morphinan-2′,5′-dione. The resulting 1-halo derivatives were brought into the Heck reaction with acrylic acid esters to obtain 1-[(E)-2-(alkoxycarbonyl)ethenyl]-substituted compounds. Demethylation of the 6-methoxy group in 1-bromo-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaines was accomplished using boron(III) bromide in chloroform.     

Officinatrione: an unusual (17S)-17,18-seco-lupane skeleton,and four novel lupane-type triterpenoids from the roots of Taraxacum officinale

Novel 5 lupane-type of triterpenois, i.e., 3β-acetoxy-18α,19α-epoxylupan-21β-ol (1), 18α,19α-epoxy-21β-hydroxylupan-3-one (2), lup-18-ene-3,21-dione (3), lupa-18,21-dien-3β-yl acetate (4), and (17S)-17,18-seco-lup-19(21)-ene-3,18,22-trione (5), named officinatrione, as well as 16 known compounds from the roots of Taraxacum officinale collected in Takatsuki city, Osaka, Japan. Of the above compounds, 5 was the first lupane-type triterpene, of which the D-ring was open to form a nine-membered ring. Compounds 2 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against L1210 cell line (IC₅₀ 10.5 and 10.1 μM).     

Two new eudesman-4α-ol epoxides from the stem essential oil of Laggera pterodonta from Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The investigation of the stem essential oil of Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Sch. Bip. ex Oliv. (Asteraceae) from Côte d’Ivoire was carried out, using a combination of chromatographic (GC-RI, CC, pc-GC) and spectroscopic (GC-MS, ¹³C NMR) techniques. This study led to the identification of fifty constituents of which two new natural compounds 7β,11β-epoxy-eudesman-4α-ol and 7α,11α-epoxy-eudesman-4α-ol. Their structures were elucidated by 1?D and 2?D NMR spectroscopy after pc-GC purifying. Finally, 98.9% of the whole composition of the oil was identified with a high amount of 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (78.9%). The other significant components were α-humulene (6.2%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.7%), thymyl methyl oxide (1.7%), α-phellandrene (1.5%), p-cymene (1.2%), (3αH,4βH,6αH,1αMe)-1,6-epoxy-3-hydroxycarvotanacetone angelic acid ester (1.1%) and 10-epi-γ-eudesmol (1.0%).     

Synthesis of disparlure analogues,using resolution on microcrystalline cellulose triacetate-I

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, uses a chiral epoxide, (+)-(7R,8S)-2-methyl-7,8-epoxyoctadecane, (+)-disparlure, as its main sex attractant. The moths can detect both enantiomers of disparlure and respond differently to each one. In an effort to understand the structure–activity relationships of the gypsy moth olfactory system, we prepared the analogues of (+)- and (−)-disparlure. The key intermediate in route to the analogues was 2-epoxytridecan-1-ol. Herein we report the resolution of 2-epoxytridecan-1-yl esters on microcrystalline cellulose triacetate and the synthesis of 5-oxa and (5Z)-ene analogues of (+)- and (−)-disparlure. An effort to make 5-aza analogues resulted in the formation of anti-5-(1-hydroxy-1-undecyl)-3-(3-methylbutyl)oxazolidin-2-one. The analogues were tested for their electroantennogram responses and for their ability to bind to pheromone-binding protein 1 (PBP1). We found that the 5-oxa analogues gave strong responses and that the antenna and the PBP1 no longer distinguish the enantiomers of the 5-oxa analogues. The analogues all bound the PBP1 with similar affinity to (−)-disparlure.     

Specific oxidation of C-14 oxygenated 4(20),11-taxadienes by microbial transformation

Three C-14 oxygenated taxanes, 2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (1), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-(2-methylbutyryloxy)taxa-4(20),11-diene (2), and yunanaxane (3), major products of callus cultures of Taxus spp., were regio- and stereoselectively hydroxylated at the 7β position by a fungus, Absidia coerulea IFO 4011. Intriguingly, when 1 was co-administered with β-cyclodextrin and incubated with the fungus cell cultures, three other compounds 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-14β-ol (7), 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-1β-ol (8) and 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxy-11(15→1) abeotaxa-4(20),11-dien-15-ol (9) were obtained.     

Enzyme-Mediated Preparation of (+)- and (–)-cis-α-Irone and (+)- and (–)-trans-α-Irone

The preparation of (−)- and (+)-trans-α-irone ( 1a and 1b , resp.) and of (+)- and (−)-cis-α-irone ( 1c and 1d , resp.) from commercially available Irone alpha ^® is reported. The relevant step in the synthetic sequence is the initial chromatographic separation of crystalline (±)-4,5-epoxy-4,5-dihydro-cis-α-irone ((±)- 5 ) from oily (±)-4,5-epoxy-4,5-dihydro-trans-α-irone ((±)- 4 ). The latter was subsequently converted, after NaBH₄ reduction, into the crystalline 3,5-dinitrobenzoate ester (±)- 8 , thus allowing a complete separation of the two corresponding diastereoisomeric alcohol derivatives. Suitable enantiomerically pure precursors of the desired products 1a – d were obtained by kinetic resolution of the racemic allylic alcohols derived from (±)- 5 and (±)- 8 , mediated by lipase PS (Amano). The last steps consisted of MnO₂ oxidation and removal of the epoxy moiety with Me₃SiCl/NaI in MeCN. External panel olfactory evaluation showed that (−)-cis-α-irone ( 1d ) has the finest and most distinct `orris butter' character.